Sox Bullpen

[Zen653]

Has anyone heard anything on Mike Myers? He was designated for assignment on August 6th, despite a sub-3 ERA. I wouldn't mind bringing him back for the major league minimum as competition for Javier Lopez.

[Zen653]

Javier Lopez avoided arbitration with the Red Sox and signed a 1 year contract that more than doubles his 2007 salary:

BOSTON (AP) — Lefty specialist Javier Lopez and the Boston Red Sox agreed Friday to an $840,000, one-year contract.

Lopez was 2-1 with a 3.10 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 40 2-3 innings last season. The 30-year-old had 61 relief appearances for the World Series champions, second on the team to Hideki Okajima, who had 66 appearances.

Lopez, acquired from the Chicago White Sox in June 2006, can earn $20,000 in performance bonuses: $10,000 each for 65 and 70 games. He made $402,500 last year.

Lefty specialist Javier Lopez and Red Sox agree to $840,000, 1-year deal - USATODAY.com

Does this mean the bullpen is already set for 2008? Timlin, Tavarez and Lopez were all brought back. Papelbon, Okajima and Delcarmen will obviously be back. Snyder is arbitration-eligible. That's 7 guys right there. Plus, it seems likely that Buchholz or Wakefield will start the year in the bullpen.

It's quite possible that the Red Sox will go into 2008 with 23 or 24 of the players from last year's World Series roster. The only defection so far is Eric Gagne (thankfully.) I'm not sure what the situation is with Bobby Kielty.

[Zen653]

The Red Sox signed journeyman hurler Dan Miceli and former All-Star closer Dan Kolb to two-way guaranteed minor league contracts today:

The average age of the Red Sox bullpen could get a sizable increase this season if a pair of seasoned veterans signed yesterday come through.

Right-handed relievers Dan Miceli and Dan Kolb signed minor league deals of the classic low-risk, high-upside variety for the Sox.

Each would make $650,000 if added to the major league roster, plus incentives according to the Associated Press. Miceli would make $84,000 in the minors while Kolb would make $78,000.

Miceli, 37, did not pitch at all in the majors last season, spending the last of his 14 major league seasons with the Devil Rays in 2006. In his career, the journeyman is 43-52 with a 4.48 ERA with 10 different teams.

The 32-year-old Kolb’s best season was in 2004 with the Brewers, when he was an All-Star and finished with 39 saves. He pitched for the Rangers from 1999-2002. Last year with the Pirates, he made just three appearances.

Sox sign relievers Miceli, Kolb - BostonHerald.com

I love both of these moves. They're low-risk/high-reward. At worst, you're getting a pair of mediocre relief pitchers who fill out the Pawtucket roster without costing you spots on the 40-man roster. At best, you're getting relief pitchers who could contribute at a high level on the major league roster if they re-gain the skills that made one of them an All-Star closer with a sub-3 ERA. These are the types of deals that help teams win championships. Over the course of a grueling season, there will be injuries and ineffectiveness from more established players and surprising surges from unheralded ones. Accumulate 5-10 low-risk/high-upside organizational players, and at least one of them will tend to pan out as an impact player.

Dan Kolb could turn out to be a steal. He was outstanding in 2003 and 2004. If he works with an excellent pitching coach like John Farrell, maybe he can tinker with his delivery and rediscover the stuff that made him a top flight major league relief pitcher. Successful reclamation projects take place all the time in this league. While I don't expect Kolb to ever finish a season with a sub-2 ERA (2003) or sub-3 ERA (2004), he might be someone who could spell Timlin in the 7th inning and finish with a respectable ERA around 4. And if he doesn't, it's not a big deal. You keep him in Pawtucket and only go to him if injuries ravage the bullpen. Here's the current bullpen depth chart, as I see it:

Group 1 (definitely in the majors, traded, or riding the Pawtucket shuttle):

1. Papelbon
2. Okajima
3. Buccholz/Lester/Wakefield (whoever doesn't start out of the three)
4. Timlin
5. Delcarmen
6. Lopez
7. Tavarez
8. Snyder
9. Masterson (he should move up to the top 5 by the All-Star break)

Group 2 (not necessarily in order)

10. Hansack
11. Hansen
12. Pauley
13. E. Martinez
14. Jones (I love this guy - don't be surprised if he's Cla Meredith II)
15. C. Smith (the new Gabbard - no one knows him, yet great numbers)
16. Kolb
17. Tejera

Group 3 (not necessarily in order)

17. Miceli
18. Alvarez (time to make him a lefthanded relief pitcher)
19. Haigwood (could be another Donnelly-type)
20. Gronkiewicz
21. Switzer
22. Zink (interesting possibility as a spot-starter)

And I wouldn't be surprised if Epstein adds another reliever or two before spring training.